Elastically connected mine car bumper



Oct. 7, 1941.-, H. H. PANCAKE ELASTICALLY CONNECTED MINE CR BUMPER 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filedmay 25 WIIIIIIIIII I r I l I g IJ. I lll A?, ATTORN Oct. 7, 1941.

H. H. PANCAKE ELASTICALLY CONNECTEDl MINE CAR BUMPER 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25 Q 4 fu: o

INVENTOR Her'glfzaz H Panca/fe IIII' ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 7, 1941 Y v o 12,253,214'v o o ELAsTIoALLY CONNECTED MINE CARY i `Herman H. Pancake', Huntington, W. Ya., assigner to American Car and FoundryiCompany, New `York,`N-./Y., acorporation of'NeW `Jersey Application May 25, 1937, Serial No; 144,605

(Cl. 213-19) i 20 Claims..

This invention relates to improvements in bumpers and draft members in general and in* particular to such devices for useA on mine or other industrialcars. Y One object of the invention is to provide a bumperand draft element which is connected to the. car body by means of a `non-,metallic cushioning material acting in shear lto resist the bufling and draft forces. I

.A further object of the invention is the" pro` vision of a .combined draft and bufling element connected to the car structure by means of nonu metallic cushioning means and so arranged as to occupy the space now taken by the present wooden type bumper in certain classes of cars. o

o, A still further object ofthe invention isujthe provision of a combined buing and draft element `connected to the car structure by means of anonunetallic cushioning element and so arranged as to be completely protected from injurious` material.

These `and other objects of the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in the art from a study of the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a planviewof one form with parts broken away to more clearly disclose'the connection between the bui'hng element and car structure; j

Fig.`2 is a sectional view taken ,substantially on line 2--2 of Fig. lo; n

Fig. 3 is a sectional view takenV substantially on line 3 3 of Fig. '1;

Fig. 4 is a plan view similar to that shown in Fig. 1 but disclosing a modification thereof taken substantially` on line 4-4 of Fig. 6 and which isadmirably suited to cars having widely spaced sills or of the sill-less type; o o

"Figf 5 is a sectional view taken substantially onlineE- oi Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View on line 6- ci Fig. 5; Y

Fig. 7 isa sectional view similar to Fig. 2 but showing a further modification thereof; i Y

Fig.- 8 is a sectional View taken substantially on line i-S of Fig. 7, and l Fig. 9` is a sectional view taken substantially online 9-o-Q of Fig. 7. l

Referring now tothe drawings in detail, it is `seen that the car' is formed with side sills A of suitable cross section whichsu'pport the car floorB'. The sills arein turn .connected by suitable bumper carrying end construction C to which may be connected if desired the car end wallE'. In the form shown in Figure 4 the bumptaken substantially er carrying construction is not joined to the sills "Y tralfloor portion is extendedasiat 2` to ithe ends ofthe sillsas-clearly shown and has attached thereto at apoint rearwardly of the sill ends an angle member 4. y This angle member has va lowerl horizon-tal ,leg secured to the floor, while thevertically directed leg 8' is` secured to the sill flanges by means oi angle clips It, thus fcrming with the sillsv and externfled` floor an open pocketin which the bumper element may be secured. This pocket is closed at the top by means of a plate or an upper horizontal portion I2, a rear downwardly `directed flange I4 adapted to be welded or otherwise secured to the angle `leg S and downwardlydirected flanges l5 at the sides adapted to overlie and be secured to the side sill webs as clearly shown in Figs. l to 3 and 7 tog.; The forward edge ofthis plate is secured to the end walls by means of an. angle member i8.. the ends of .which are preferably directed downwardly and secured to the sill by means, such` as 2t, which are ci` sufficient length` to secure a short angle 22 Von the inner side of, the sills and between theiioor extension and` the sloot 24` which is closed by the bumper element as is obvious in Figs. 2 and V'1.

`The combined bumper and draft element of Figs. 1 to 3 isl preferably formed as a casting of general box formation having upper and lower plates 26 and 28 joined at the sidesby walls 30, at the rear by wall 32 and adjacent thje front edge by wall 34. Each of the side and end walls of this member are suitably braced by gussets, such as 35, and the lower plate is provided with openings 38 by means of which access may be had to the interior of the box member. The upper and lower plates and side walls are extended to form a pocket in which wooden blocks it of the customary type may be inserted and protected by means of the pressed U-shaped bumper cap #12,. 4The rearwardly directed flanges of the bumper cap are secured to the casting by suitable means, such as bolts f5.4, which extend through slots in the flanges of the bumper cap as is customary. The upper wall of the bumper member is formed with an `upwardly and outwardlydnclined projection 46 terminating in an outwardlyy directed extension constituting a drawbar oltwhich is formed adjacent its outer end with an opening E@ adapted to receive a coupling pin (not shown). The coupling pin will have the lower and intermediate portions extending through holes 52 and 54 formed in the upper and lower walls respectively of the casting. The outer surface of the side walls is formed with a positioning projection 56 and with a stop projection 58, the latter of which is adjacent the point of union between the side wall and rear wall of the casting while projection 56 is adjacent the front wall 34, this arrangement providing a pocket in which inner plate 60 of aiv resilient unit D may be secured by suitableV means, such as bolts 62. It should be noted that the stop and projection form shoulders which will take the entire strain applied by the plate 60, thus relieving the bolts or securing means of any shearing action. The inner plate 60 .has vulcanized thereto one side of a` block 64 of some non-metallic elastic material such as rubber and the other side of the block is vulcanized or suitably secured to an outer metallic plate 66. The plate 66 is of sufficient length vto abut the angle leg 8 and the leg of the front stub angle 22, thus relieving the securing means 68 of any shearing strain. In the instance shown the securing means 68 are bolts having countersunk heads and extend only through the sill and plate 66. Rigid stops 10 are welded or otherwise secured to the outer plates 66 and form stops adapted to cooperate with the stops 58 of the bumper to limit outward movement thereof on draft. It is obvious that inner movement of the bumper will be limited by the striking of rear wall` 32 of end construction C against leg 8 of the rear angle.

The bumper shown in Figs. 7 to 9 is almost 0 identical with that just described with the exception that it is adapted for construction from standard plate and rolled sections. In this form the sides of thebumper are formed by channels '|2 having inwardly directed flanges to which the upper and lower plates v'Hl and 'I6 are secured. The upper plate has its rear edge directed downwardly as at 'I1 to be welded to the lower plate, thus forming the rear wall of the bumper and forming a stop for the rear end portion of the bumper blocks, the outer edge of which will be in engagement with the bumper cap. In this bumper provision is made for draft by riveting or otherwise securing to the top .plate 14 a lower bar 18 and an upper bar 80, the latter of which is bent upwardly and outwardly as at 8| to receive a coupling pin and link (not shown). Plate unit I positioning projections 84 and 86 are welded or otherwise secured to the outer surf-aces of the channel Webs and will receive therebetween the resilient unit plate 60. It is to be noted that the projection 86 is of sufiicient length as to strike the flange of stub angle 22, thus limiting the outward movement of the bumper element` during application of draft forces. The remainder of the construction illustrated in these figures is substantially identical with that shown in Figs..1 to 3 and accordingly similar referencenumerals have been applied.

' In assembling the constructions shown in Figs. 1 to .3 and '7 to 9 inclusive the end pocket will be fabricated on the car, after which the combined draft and bumper element with the resilient units securely attached thereto, but with the bumper cap off, will be lowered into this pocket. It is to 4be noted that there is suicient clearance between the end sheet and coupler projection and between the angle I8 and iioor sheet extension 2 to permit of Vsuch entrance of the coupler and buffer unit. After the unit has been lowered into position the securingmeans 68'are applied, thus anchoring the plate 66 to the sills and preventing any movement ofthe bumper unit without stressing the non-metallic material. As soon as the units are secured in position the top cover-plate I2 is slid into -position and securely fastened by any suitable means, such as welding, to the sill, rear angle and front angle I8, if desired. With the parts in this condition the bumper blocks may be inserted j and the bumper cap secured in position, after whichk the device, is ready for use.

from which rearwardly converging side walls '92.'

extend to merge with longitudinal side walls 94. Upper wall 96 is formed integral with'the bufng face 90 and the side walls 92 and 04, thus forming an element of substantially channel-shape cross section. In the instance shown this channel is braced lby a transverse intermediate wall 98 and a lower horizontal wall |00, thus forming a shank portion to the rear of wall 33 which is of box section. The outward surfaces of the side walls 94 are formed with spaced projections |02 and 04 adapted to receive therebetween an inner metallic plate |66 which is suitably secured in position between the projections by means of bolts. or other means |08. These securing means may be placed in position by an operator working through the open end of the box section end as will be obvious in consideration of Figs. 4 and 5. In order that the drawhead may be used for draft a coupler projection I0 is provided extending upwardly and outwardly from the upper wall of the bung' head to receive a coupling pin (not shown). Y

The inner plate |06 has vulcanized or otherwise secured thereto one side of a block of non-metallic material ||2, the other side of which is vulcanized or otherwise secured to an outer plate I4, which will be suitably secured by means, such as ||6, to the side walls of the housing element now to be described. The housing element is preferably formed as a pressing with top wall H8, side walls |20 and rear wall |22. The edges ofthe side and rear walls and the forwardv edge of the upper wall are flanged laterally as at |24 in order that the housing may be secured to the floor and end wall of the car. The housing rests directly upon the one piece floor sheet and in order to stiifen the construction an outer plate is provided having an inwardlydirected flat portion |26 underlying the iioor and secured to the V floor and housing by common means, such as rivets |28. The forward edge of this plate is directed upwardly as at |30 outside of the end wall and rigidly secured to the end wall as well as to the iianges of the housing by suitable means, such as rivets |32. It is, of course, necessary, in order to permit movement of the drawhead as well as application of this plate, that it be slotted as at |40,'the slot being of such width to permit free movement of the drawhead shank. It is thus seen that a housing is formed of relatively strong material and that this housing is in the form of a box completely closed except for the small opening through which the coupler shank extends.

In order to assemble this construction the drawhead element with resilient units attached is slid inward through the end sheet which is notched suciently to permit passage of the entire assembly after which the upper :pressed housing is lowered into position and the securing meansl I6 gesamt applied; at the saine time, ifv desired'or necessary, the housing may be` prevented from shiiting're'lative to the car by applying the rivets M2; With the parts in this position the lower 'angleplate is slid upwardly over the coupler'drawlfiead shank, after which the rivets land 32 vmay be driven, thus securely holding the `parts in their assembled condition. It is to be noted `thatthe outer plate H4 is of suflicient length toihave bearing against the back Wall of the housing and against the vertically directed leg liiiof the 'outer plate member, while projections 4M are of sufficient length as to strike this plate upon excessive outward movement of the dran/head` f It is obvious that the non-metallic units are completelyprotected and that any injurious oils `or other foreign element cannot gain access to this housing. A

In each of the modifications described any movement oi the bumper and coupling element will be resisted by the non-metallic material `acting in shear and this material cannot be loaded beyond the limit since suitable stops are provided both for draft and culling forces. It is evident that with the bumper and coupling element moving longitudinally of thebody-then resilient units will be subjected to pure shear and that under a combination of lateraland longitudinal, or angular, movements the units will act in shear to resist the movement and will act in compression to resist the purelateral component. In other words, the units may be said to iact in shear to resist the lateral and/orl angular movements of `the bumper and coupler unit andin Ycompression to resist lateral movemehts.` In each of these forms also the area of the non-metallic material may be readily increased to taire care of cars and loads of various sizes, since it is obvious'that instead of bolts machine screws could be used with the ends projecting into the openings'in thenonmetallic material, A

While the invention has been described in more or less detail, `it is obvious that various modifications other than `those mentioned will ibe apparent to persons skilled in the art and all such modifications are 'contemplated as :falll within the scope of the following claims:

What is claimed is: l. In combination, a vehicle body construction comprising in part, `spaced upright walls rigid with` the vehicle body, a substantially horizontal lower supporting plate connecting `said `upright walls, bumper and coupling means supported on said lower plate for movement relative-thereto,

and non-metallic lcushioning. elements secured to said means andto saiduprightwalls and acting in shear to resist longitudinal movements of "the said bumper fandtcouple'rime'ans` and in compression to resist 1lateral movementsthereoi.

2L In combination; a vehicle body construction comprisingiin part, spaced"uprigh`t wallsrigid with the Vehicle body, a substantially 'horizontal lower supporting plate connecting said. upright Walls, bumper and couplingmeanssupported on said lowerplate'for movement f relative thereto, said means `being formed `vvithliupright #walls `lo With the vehicle body, a substantially horizontal V(Si) Alower supportingplate `connecting said upright walls, bumper fand coupling means supported on said` lower plate Vfor movement relative thereto, saidmeans being formed with upright Walls 1ocated in spacedrelation to saidrst mentioned upright walls, plates removably secured to said upright walls, and non-metallic cushioning material secured to said plates and acting in shear to resist longitudinal movements of the said bumper and coupling means, said Anon-metallic cushioning material acting in compression to resist lateral movements of said means.

ll. In combination, a vehicle body construction comprisingin part, spaced 'upright walls rigid with the vehicle body, a substantially horizontal lower supporting plate connecting said upright walls, bumper and coupling Vmeans supported on said lower platefor movement relative thereto, said means being formed with upright walls located in spaced relation Vto said rst mentioned upright Walls, spaced stop shoulders on said upright walls limiting the movement of said means, plates removably secured to said upright Walls between the stop shoulders, and non-metallic cushioning material secured to said plates and acting in shear to resist movements of the said bumper and coupling means.

5. In combination, a vehicle body construction `comprising in part, spacedupright Walls rigid with the vehicle body, a substantially horizontal lower supporting plate connecting said upright walls, bumper and coupling means supported on said lower plate for movement relative thereto, said means being Aformed with upright walls located in horizontally spacedielation to `said iirst mentioned upright walls, .plates removably secured to said walls, and non-metallic cushion- Ying 'material secured tosaidplates and acting in shear to resist movements of .thesaid bumper and coupler meansi and independent stop means on said walls cooperating lto limit movements of the bumper and coupling means whereby the shear strain on said non-metallic material will beV limited. I

6. `In combination, a vehicle body construction comprising in part, spacedupright` walls rigid with .the vehicle body, a substantially horizontal lower supporting plate connecting said upright walls, bumper and coupling means supported on said lower plate for movement relativethereto, and non-metallic cushioning elements .secured to said means and to said upright walls7 said elements being located whollyuat ithe side oi said bumper and coupling means `andactirig. in shear to resist'lone'itudinal and angular movements of the Said bumper and coupler means and acting in compression` to, resist lateral` movements thereof.v "i, ,i ,1'

`'7. In combination, avehicle-body construction comprising in" part, aboxflilieihousing rigid with respect to the vehicle body, upright walls forming the sides Yof the housing, a combined bumper and couplermeans having;` a rear portion movably supported within the housing, and nonmetallic cushioning elements interposed between and secured to said upright wallsnand rear portion, said elements `acting in shear and compression to resist angular movements of :the said bumper and coupler means;

` 8.: In combination, a vehicle body construction comprising in ppart, a box-dike housing rigid with respect to the vehicle body, upright walls forming the sides of the housing, a combined bumper and coupler means having a rear portion movably supported within the housing, non-metallic cushioning elements' Ysecured t0 said upright walls and rear portion and acting in shearto resist movements of said bumper and coupler means, said housing and means being relatively so formed and arranged as to protect the cushioning element from injurious materials.

9. In combination, a vehicle body construction comprising in part, a box-like housing rigid with respect to the vehicle body, upright walls forming the sides of the housing, a combined bumper and coupler means' having a rear portion movably supported within the housing, non-metallic cushioning elements secured to said upright walls and rear portion of said means, said elements acting in shear to resist movements of the said bumper and coupler means, and independent stop means on said* housing and on said bumper and coupler means cooperating to limit the movements of said bumper rand coupler means thereby limiting the shear strain that may be imposed upon the nonmetallic material.

10. In combination, a Vehicle body construction comprising in part, a one-piece housing hav ing upright sides, a rear wall and a horizontal top Y Vmovements. of the saidv bumper and coupler means.

11. In combination, va vehicle body having a pocket formed within the body at an end portion thereof, said pocket including substantially parallel plane side walls, a bumper' element ar ranged in said pocket, andresilient means interposed between and securedto the bumper Yelement and said'side walls and `so formed and arranged as to beV subject to shear action upon movement of the bumper element relative to said sidewalls.

12. In combination, a vehicle body having a pocket at one end portion thereof, a bumper element arranged in said pocket and provided with side portions spaced from adjacent portions of said pocket, resilient means interposed between the bumper element and said adjacent pocket portions and secured to said bumper element and said portions -and formed to shearingly resist movements of the bumper element relative to the body, and means inthe pocket arranged to cooperate with the bumper element to limit movement of the said bumper element within the pocket.

13. In combination, a vehicle body having a pocket formed in oneY end portion thereof defined in part by side walls, a combined bumper and drawbar elementV arranged inthe pocket with its side portions in spaced relation to said side walls, and means connecting the bumper element `to'said body comprising resilient units interposed between and connected to said side portions and side walls and so formed as to be subject to shear action in service.

Y `14. In combination, a vehicle body including spaced sills, a combined bumper and drawbar element arranged between the sills and in spaced.

k relation thereto, and means for connecting the said element to'said sills comprising aV resilient unit interposed between said sills and said element and connected to each thereof and so formed and arranged as to be subject to shear action in service. y

15. In combination, a vehicle body including spaced sills and a member extending transversely between and connected -to said sills at points remote from their ends, a'bumper element between the sills, resilient means connecting the bumper element and sills and so formed and arranged as to be subject to shear action in service, said member constituting a backing element for said bumper element to limit excessive movement of said bumper element in one direction.

16. Ina vehicle body, longitudinal members spaced transversely of the car body, a member arranged within the body and connecting said longitudinal. members, a bumper element arranged between the longitudinal members, and resilient means connecting the longitudinal members and bumper element and so formed as to be subject to shear action .in service, said second named memberconstituting an abutment for said bumper element to limit excessive movement thereof in one direction.

17. In a vehicle body, longitudinal members spaced transversely of the car body, a member arranged within the body and connecting said longitudinal members,V a bumper element arranged between the longitudinal members, re-- silient means connecting the longitudinal mem bers and bumper element and so formed as to be subject'to shear action in service, said second named member constituting an abutment for said bumper element to limit excessive movement thereof in one direction, and abutment means at the end of the body with which said bumper'elernent is adapted to Contact to limit movement of said bumper element in the oppo site direction.

18. A bumper element for railway cars comprising a substantially closed box-likemiember having top, bottom, side and end walls, verticallyV spaced members projecting from one of said end walls and constituting top and bottom cover plates adapted to receive bumper blocks therebeftween, and stop elements projecting from opposite end portions of the otherend wall.

19. Ina mine or similar rail car having a floor, side sills, and an end member connecting said side sills to form a frame, a'combined bumper and draft element supported by said end member, and means for resiliently resisting bufling and draft forces to which the element is subjected, said positionv in such a manner as to be subject to shearing action in service.Y

20. Ina mine or similar rail carhaving a floor, side sills, and an end member connecting said side sills to form a frame, a combined bumper and draft element supported by said end member, and elastic cushioning material interposed between the side sills and adjacent end portions of said element; said material being so formed and arranged as to be `subject to shearing action upon relative movement of theY end member and l element. n Y` Y HERMAN H. PANCAKE. 

